Merrell MTL Long Sky 2 Matryx review

[@TrailrunnerTroy]

Appreciate your reviews! Raced a 50-miler in the original Long Sky in Colorado’s Sangre di Cristo Mountain range and got along well, although there are definitely better options (such as the Norda 001) for that distance. The version 2 is an improvement as it runs lighter. However, it was negligent to design a shoe for sky running where tying a runner’s knot is impossible. The heel slippage would otherwise vanish. The Salomon S/Lab Pulsar 3 is better in probably every respect; raced last month in a 50 K and will probably use for all my sky racing this year. Well worth the extra cost. Also the Nnormal Kjerag!

[@trailandkale]

Thanks Troy! And thanks for your insights having used the original for a 50 miler! I’m looking forward to putting my Pulsar 3 review together next week!

[@TrailrunnerTroy]

@@trailandkale you might also consider the Nnormal. For shorter distances it’s a marvelous option for technical running.

[@TrailrunnerTroy]

@@trailandkale will look forward to it. It’s a little narrow in the forefoot for me, but otherwise superb. Lockdown, cushioning, grip, lighter weight-all there.

[@trailandkale]

@TrailrunnerTroy yeah it is narrow, as was the pulsar 2. Bit of a Salomon S-Lab trademark 😄

[@danowen9853]

Thanks for the review! If these are for the shorter, faster events - then what would you recommend for 50k, 100k, 100mile etc? Hitting my first 100km this year and looking for an upgrade! I'm getting mixed reviews on the Speegoat 6's - saying the midsole is hard and fails relatively quickly...

[@danowen9853]

For clarity - the UTA100!

[@trailandkale]

Ahh the blue mountains! Gorgeous! I personally love the Speedgoat 6. Other great trail shoes in a similar class for ultras with a good amount of cushioning include the Arc’teryx Sylan, Altra Timp 5 (zero drop shoe), Nike Zegama 2. All have been reviewed on the channel if you’d like to learn more about either of those great trail running shoes

[@trailandkale]

👋🏼 If you have any questions at all, drop them here! Always happy to help out subscribers out! :)

[@JohnM-xr6ch]

Seems like these and the agility peak 5 both have heel slip issues

[@trailandkale]

This one has much less of a slip though, and it’s really not a problem for performance. 👍🏼

[@AnnetGawron]

How are they sizeing?

[@trailandkale]

true to size: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bYvdnZWbadSanZIsi=NBedjfjAK1BOFpdt&t=226

[@nicklas6973]

Vj maxx 2

[@trailandkale]

I’ll look into them, thanks 👍🏼

[@nicklas6973]

@@trailandkale between these and the pulsar?

[@trailandkale]

@nicklas6973 these for me… 👍🏼

[@nicklas6973]

Thanks! I do mostly ocr races and some trail runs. I will be doing my first vertical k this year and a mountain half marathon. I am torn between the pulsar, vj maxx 2 and the long sky. Grip on wet rocks/obstascles is the main priority then the ride.

[@trailandkale]

@nicklas6973 i don’t have experience with the VJ but if he vibram megagrip and aggressive lugs on the long sky 2 Matryx tops the pulsar 3 for traction.